Temarii to appeal against ban

The Oceania Football Confederation has confirmed it will not have a vote when FIFA's executive committee decides on the host nations for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups on Thursday as Reynald Temarii will appeal against his suspension.

Temarii was suspended, along with Amos Adamu of Nigeria, following newspaper allegations about 'cash for votes'. The OFC's acting head David Chung was expected to take Temarii's place on the executive committee but will not now be allowed to vote, leaving 22 members to make the decision.

A statement read: "OFC can confirm that it has received a communique from Reynald Temarii's legal team stating that Mr Temarii will exercise his right of appeal in relation to the recent ruling by the FIFA Ethics Committee. OFC respects this decision as it is a fundamental human right to appeal after such a case."

The statement continued: "FIFA has outlined that Oceania's sole spot on the FIFA Executive Committee is not considered vacant as long as the appeal process is still open. Therefore, Acting OFC President David Chung will not be able to replace Mr Temarii on the FIFA Executive until such time as the appeal process has concluded."

Chung said: "OFC will not have a voice at the voting table in Zurich on the 2nd of December but fully respects the decision made by Reynald Temarii and his legal team under difficult circumstances."

The OFC also released the statement it received from Temarii.

"On November 18, 2010, the FIFA Ethics Committee cleared me of all corruption charges but decided my suspension for one year beginning on October 20, 2010, for charges which nature and grounds I still ignore," the statement said.

"Since then, I am waiting for a reasoned decision in order to exercise my right to appeal.

"Despite pressures and issues at stake for the OFC, I decided not to waive this fundamental right to restore my honor, dignity and integrity following the calumnious accusations I suffered from the Sunday Times."